Omaha police identify man and woman injured in midtown shooting
Omaha police have released the names of the man and woman injured in a shooting that involved police officers late Wednesday afternoon.
At 5:20 p.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance inside an office building at 4315 Frances St., near 42nd and Center Streets.
Citing a 911 call, police said the man, identified as 37-year-old Rafael Crespo, and the woman, identified as 36-year-old Veronica Villa, could be heard fighting physically inside the building. The first officers on scene heard gunfire inside an office and Villa screaming from an interior closet.
Police said Crespo and Villa were once in a relationship.
Police entered the building and found the office, where they could hear more gunshots being fired inside the closet. Police opened the closet door and two officers fired their guns, according to the release. Police Capt. John Sokolik told reporters Wednesday night Crespo shot at police before the officers fired their guns.
It isn't clear whether Crespo was injured by shots fired by police or by a self-inflicted gunshot. Police said officers found a handgun in the closet near Crespo.
After Crespo was immobilized, police and Omaha Fire Department medics performed life-saving measures on him, according to a police press release. Medics took Crespo to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he is being treated for injuries described as extremely critical.
Medics took Villa to the medical center for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening. Police said Crespo and Villa remain in the medical center as of Thursday afternoon.
No officers were injured.
Police said an officer's body-worn camera and a police vehicle camera captured various parts of the incident.
The police department's Officer Involved Investigations Team, along with the Nebraska State Patrol and Douglas County Sheriff's Office, are investigating the shooting. The two police officers who fired their guns have been placed on paid leave per the police department's policy. They will be interviewed on a later date.
The police department said it will release more details and the officers' names after they have been interviewed.
& Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Public safety reporter
